Letters : Space polluters

Has it not occurred to anyone else that there is an obvious way to start addressing the space junk problem (Forum, 17 May, p 49).

Companies in any Earth-bound industry are expected to safely and effectively deal with their hazardous waste products. If any new company can't afford to clean up after itself then it is out of business before it starts. I would argue that if Teledesic can afford to invest in the technical expertise needed to get its satellites into orbit in the first place, it must also be able to afford to tidy up after the job is done and on an ongoing basis. This goes for any other company planning to "pollute" Earth's orbit.

Money raised from such companies could pay for the setting up of a salvage-type operation which would act as an orbital garbage collection service on behalf of orbit users. Companies ...

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